Grinder 2 Report post Posted November 10, 2004 I'm three games into my roller hockey league's season. I played two years ago, but sat out last year. During the last season I played, it was a pretty physical league, with a lot of penalties handed out - no cheap shots or hacking, just a lot of charging and interference with the odd trip. I'm 6' and 210, and I stand my ground. Even though I was always in the thick of the bumping and grinding, I only pulled 7 or 8 penalties over a 20 game season.The ref this year is all over me. He reffed the year before last, and gave me the "I'll be watching you, pal" speech during warmup of my first game. I didn't quite understand what was up. Since then, it's been a hail of penalties on me, and nothing in return. Last night was pretty much it: My jersey got pulled so hard from behind that it actually ripped down the back of the collar - no call. I got high sticked so hard it left a goose egg on my forehead overnight, and no call. I was tripped on a clear breakaway, slide into the goalie, get speared on the ground by the defenceman, and get called for goaltender interference. Instead of losing it and telling the guy off (like I SO wanted to, but this is the only league in town) I went to him and the linesman after the game (with my captain, just so there was a reliable person nearby) and asked if I could ask for some advice. I said, "Obviously I'm doing something seriously wrong in your eyes, and I'm just not getting it. Can I ask what I can do to adjust my style of play so that I stay out of penalty trouble?" He basically said he remembered me from 'that rough crowd' a few years ago, and since I'm one of the larger guys on the court this year, he's making sure I don't throw my weight around. What the hell can you say to that? I feel like my season's screwed. It's really discouraging and frustrating. How do I get out of his sights? Play a completely passive and lackluster game? Let the other team walk all over me? Start diving and try to get some calls? I haven't yapped at the ref yet, but is it time that I did? I could really use some advice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chadd 916 Report post Posted November 10, 2004 Damn. Talking to him the way you did was a good way to initially address the problem. If he continues to call the games the way he called the one you described, I would file a complaint with the league and/or whoever is responsible for assigning refs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jay 1 Report post Posted November 10, 2004 I'm having trouble with a ref in my league for similiar reasons. I play down a division and am one of the better skaters so I'm a constant target for slashes and holding (and just about anything else you can think of) but for whatever reason it doesn't ever translate to a penalty in my favor. This guy gave me a penalty last night becuase I said "Come On" to him after I got obviosuly tripped. I hadn't spoken a word to him or even looked at him the whole game up to that point (but I had TONS to say after that). I leave the rink beat up every single night with bruises on my lower back from cross checks and my forearms and calves from slashes. Unfortunately, there's probably nothing I nor you can do. Too many refs are complete asses that get involved only so they can feel like a big man when they put the "I'm in charge" shirt on and all the yelling or reasoning won't make a lick of difference to an idiot that wants to be an ass just for the sake of being an ass. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chadd 916 Report post Posted November 10, 2004 As a ref, I agree with you both. Too many guys are only in it for the power trip or the cash. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mickz 107 Report post Posted November 10, 2004 Shoot a puck at him Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eazy_b97 1 Report post Posted November 10, 2004 I've had alot of difficulties with Refs in my area as well. Some (okay most) were from me being a big mouth, others were just for spite. I've found certain guys ease up the more you behave and show that your in it for shits and giggles now, others will always hate you. There is no way around it. The way our system is set up, everyone has a governing body. Coaches, Refs, players, parents. However the Refs are the only ones who have 100% support for their actions, right or wrong. It's just kind've how it works, I've been a ref and know it's hard, but that's not an excuse to do a bad job. I wish you the best of luck, advise you to do your best to keep your cool, and hope things get better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bdj 0 Report post Posted November 10, 2004 We had a ref that liked to ride me today. I got 10 min's for "attepmt to" high stick to the head, but I had just got on and there was nobody near me, he just blew me down and yelled at me. THEN when I get in the box, I get 2 mins for unpsportsman like because I aparently used profane language towards the ref. Next period I hit a kid with a clean check and got an interference, but he had the puck the whole time. We ended up tying a game we should have won 10-0 and I broke my m-1 shaft over the post. I'm not in a mood to be messed with tonight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kosydar 0 Report post Posted November 10, 2004 I've had similar problems with refs before. There is one in particular that would always get me for the dumbest shit while letting everything go that happened to me go. And because I play in such a small hockey community, hes one of only five officials who can ref my games, and I got him very frequently. I started reffing this year and surprisingly the guy respects me now. He hasn't given me a penalty all year and has gotten my back on a lot of calls. Its a terrible situation to be in, but you just have to play through it, as bad as that sounds. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JR Boucicaut 3804 Report post Posted November 10, 2004 I just joke around with them.One of them called me for a dive the other night. Called the guy for the hook as well. I just laughed it off and took a curtain call. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grinder 2 Report post Posted November 10, 2004 Yeah, I think all I can really do is be patient, keep my cool, and wear a full cage - although, I can see the appeal at putting a clearing shot right off his melon! Thanks for the advice and the space to rant, fellas. Play hard. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beaucoup_fish 0 Report post Posted November 10, 2004 Jay, maybe the ref gives you a hard time because you play down a division (my assumption is that you mean you play a division down from what you are capable of). Isn't that the hockey equivalent of sandbagging? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hip check 0 Report post Posted November 10, 2004 I've always tried to chat with the refs for a minute before the games. Ask them if they got a new whistle, and are going to use it lots tonight... Let them know you're there for fun. If you have the same refs every couple of weeks they'll get to know you. If your style of play is the issue, maybe curb some of the more shady aspects of it. Once you get labelled as a certain type of player, it's tough to shake. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jay 1 Report post Posted November 10, 2004 Jay, maybe the ref gives you a hard time because you play down a division (my assumption is that you mean you play a division down from what you are capable of). Isn't that the hockey equivalent of sandbagging? This ref is giving me a hard time based on me giving him a hard time a few games ago for not calling slashing penalties. He told me I wasn't getting slashed "hard enough" and I recited the rule to him. I wasn't cussing at him or yelling at him or anything but for whatever reason he's now decided that no matter what anyone does to me, it's not worthy of a call. There's really nothing I can do. And the reason I play down is becuase I can't play on two teams in the same division and I want to play more then once a week. So I play in Silver and Bronze A and I'm only like 4th on the bronze team in scoring playing as a forward (generally I play D). I may be a better skater then most in bronze but I'm no great player or difference maker, trust me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crazy Otto 0 Report post Posted November 10, 2004 I personally believe because refs are human, they sometimes have some human tendencies during games to (1) makes calls based on prior experiences with a player or a player's reputation, or a team's reputation; (2) make some "even-up" calls when one player or team is dominating the game; (3) get defensive about previous blown calls when one team's bench starts riding them during a game; (4) refuse to admit when they didn't see an initial call, only the retaliation.I have a lot of respect for refs who will come clean and admit it when they made a mistake or missed a call. It's not an easy game to play and not an easy game to officiate. I think you're doing the right thing by talking to him. Some refs will be real jerks though and won't talk to you about calls they make. In my league they're the exception not the rule. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chadd 916 Report post Posted November 10, 2004 Some refs will be real jerks though and won't talk to you about calls they make. In my league they're the exception not the rule. (cough) Davis (cough) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beaucoup_fish 0 Report post Posted November 10, 2004 Ah I see, Jay. More hockey can never hurt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
